Text: Magruder’s American Government by McClenghan

 

Major Topics of the Course (A rewording of the California State Teaching Standards)

12.1 The basic principles and American values as found in America’s founding documents

12.2 Discuss the rights and obligations of American citizens

12.3 Discuss the roles and obligations of the United States Government

12.4 The Three Branches of the U.S. Government

12.5 Landmark Supreme Court Interpretations of the Constitution

12.6 The Election process (national, state and local offices)

12.7 Federalism and the roles of national, state, and local governments

12.8 The role of the media

12.9 The various political Systems of the world and in history

12.10 Discuss the various paradoxes and tensions within our constitutional democracy

 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

 Grades are on a point system.   

100 – 90 A, 89 – 80   B, 79 – 70  C, 69 –56   D, 55 & below  F

 

Assignments

·    Terms: Define terms found in the readings

·    Textbook assignments (Teacher developed questions & questions from the book)

·    Research project (Details to follow)

·    Notebook

·         I will collect it twice this semester

·        It includes notes, assignment sheet, syllabus, and current event format

·    Essays on an issue in U.S. Government. (You do two of them. 25 Points each)

·    Oral report on an issue in U.S. Government (25 Point each)

·    Current events: Due every week, on the last day of the week. (5 Points each)

·    Other assignments (political cartoons, simulations, opinion essays, etc.)

·        Participation in class discussions. (Graded twice this semester at 20 points each)

·        Group project  on an executive agency

·        Group project on a newly democratic country

 

Late  Work & Make Up Assignments

·        Late work turned a day late is ¾ credit. Late work turned-in within a week is worth ½ credit. Assignments are not acceptable after a week.

·        If it is because of absence: Students must make it up within a week of when I assigned it

·        If it is a test or quiz, you must make an appointment with me to do it either before school or during lunch

Exams

• Types of questions are mainly multiple choice, true/ false, matching and essay
• Other types of questions could involve interpreting charts and political cartoons
• Tests range between 30-60 Points 
• Quizzes range from 10 to 20 Points

 

CLASSROOM RULES:

1.      Be silent when someone else is talking

2.      Raise your hand and wait for me to call on you if you wish to speak.

3.      Be prepared when the bell rings. Have a pen and piece of paper out.

4.      No food or beverages in the classroom. Water in a clear container is fine.

5.      Do not cheat on assignments, tests, or papers. When I catch you, you will receive an automatic zero for the assignment. Do not plagiarize from written sources or from the web. Since plagiarism is easy to catch, it is always better to hand in your work and get a C- than someone else’s and get an F.

 

Mr. DeLarme

GOVERNMENT

Class

PERIOD 4

 

Both my child and I have read the class outline and understand what Mr. DeLarme expects from him/her.

STUDENT’S NAME (PLEASE PRINT) _________________________________________

                  

STUDENT’S SIGNATURE ___________________________________________________